The minimum requirements for each certification are detailed below. Candidates should include all of the cases they perform in their log in order to accurately outline their relevant experience. The log reinforces the importance of monitoring outcomes as a life-long responsibility of surgeons and anesthetists performing aseptic survival surgery. It is the responsibility of the candidates’ organization to review the log and attest to its accuracy.

The cases reflected in the log must occur over a 12 month period, with no more than three years transpiring between the oldest case and the date of application. In certain cases, exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Certification Committee and the Academy’s President.

Surgical Research Anesthetist (SRA) Certification:

Case Log:

The case logs for the SRA will consist of a minimum of 30 anesthetic cases, with no more than 15 in any one species. Acceptable cases must be longer than 30 minutes of surgical duration, have had the applicant present from induction through recovery, have the applicant primarily acting as the anesthetist and have a minimum of monitoring to include heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and at least one of the following parameters: blood pressure, SaO2, or capnography. At least two different species must be included. Rodents may be included provided that the above monitoring was performed with the applicant present. Applicant may not deliver the patient to the surgeon and then leave the room.

Acceptable survival surgical procedures are required for the SRA logs and narratives, which involves a minimum of 72 hours of survival post-surgery before euthanasia. An exception may be made for complex acute procedures which require the applicant to adhere to a rigorous anesthetic management protocol with multiple drugs being administered to maintain the patient (these exceptions will be made at the discretion of the certification committee on a case by case basis).

Narratives:

The applicant must submit two narratives which detail two of the cases from the applicant’s anesthesia log. Each narrative should comprehensively describe all aspects of the anesthetic protocol, including the following:

Drug Regimens including doses, routes of administration and timing related to the surgical procedure (prior to surgery, during the procedure, etc.) for pre-anesthetic, anesthetic, analgesic, and antibiotic drugs.

Justification for the anesthetic regimen used.

The methods used to monitor the animal’s condition and anesthetic depth pre-operatively, intra-operatively, and immediately post-operatively.

A description of the animal’s condition during the procedure in linear format including what adjustments were made in drug administration, the reasons for these changes, and the results.

An overall assessment of the efficacy of the anesthetic protocol for the animal and what changes, if any, were made based on the results.

Any complications which occurred during the anesthetic period and how they were addressed.

Post-operative monitoring and pain assessment including species appropriate signs of pain and distress and duration of monitoring including follow-up procedures and care.

Surgical Research Technician (SRT) Certification:

Case Log:

The SRT case log will include a minimum of 12 survival, aseptically performed procedures defined as “minor” surgical procedures. At least two different procedures must be included. Non-survival procedures should be included to help outline the candidate’s experience, but won’t count towards the required number of cases.

Examples of procedures that do not qualify as minor procedures are implantation of subcutaneous ID chips or any procedure using an injectable type device.

Acting as a sterile assistant on major procedures may be accepted as long as the duties were significant (including at a minimum substantial dissection and closure) and are adequately described in the log.

The case log must include the type of procedure, the date of the procedure, the species and sex involved, a record of any complications and their treatment, whether the procedure was performed aseptically, the final disposition of the animal, and the candidate’s role (primary surgeon or assistant). If the candidate’s role was as an assistant, the duties performed need to be described.

Narratives:

The applicant must submit two narratives of cases represented in the case log. Narratives should comprehensively describe all aspects of the procedure, including:

Drug regimens, including doses, routes of administration and timing related to the surgical procedure (prior, during, or after the procedure) for pre-anesthetic, analgesic, and antibiotic drugs

Justification for the regimen itself

The methods used to monitor the animal’s condition and anesthetic depth pre-operatively, intra-operatively, and immediately post-operatively

Post-operative monitoring and pain assessment including species appropriate signs of pain and distress and duration of monitoring and follow-up treatments

Surgical Research Specialist (SRS) Certification:

Case Log:

The SRS case log must have a minimum of 12 major, survival procedures in which the applicant acted as primary surgeon. There must be at least two different procedures, in two different species, other than a rodent. If procedures are performed only in rodents, a minimum of 24 cases must be included in the log with 4 different procedures being performed.

Major procedures include those that enter a body cavity, vascular anastomosis, significant orthopedic surgery, or involve significant CNS manipulation such as intra-thecal cannulation and nerve anastomosis.

The case log must include the type of procedure, the date of the procedure, the species and sex involved, a record of any complications and their treatment, whether the procedure was performed aseptically, the final disposition of the animal, and the candidate’s role. If the animal is transferred to other personnel post-surgically, this observation may be included in lieu of reporting the final disposition of the animal.